DE202020005419U1 - Padded mat, especially bath mat - Google Patents

Abstract

Padded mat, in particular bath mat, with a non-slip base (10) and a surface arrangement (14) which is arranged on the non-slip base (10) and connected to it, characterized in that the surface arrangement (14) further comprises a layer of textile material (16) and at least one flexible cord (15) with a padded core (17), preferably made of an open-cell viscoelastic shape memory polymer, and an outer tube (18) made of a textile material, and that the flexible cord ( 15) is connected to the layer of textile material (16), in particular interwoven, interwoven, linked or tufted.

Description

The invention relates to a padded mat, in particular a bath mat, having a non-slip base and a surface arrangement which is arranged on and connected to the non-slip base.

Such a mat is from the WO 2011/069158 A1 known. This known mat has a layer of a moisture-absorbing and quick-drying, textile material, a layer of viscoelastic polyurethane foam with an open-cell structure and a non-slip base. The layer of foam material is glued and / or sewn to the layer of textile material in order to form a textile and foam arrangement. The non-slip base is connected, namely glued, to the foam material on the surface facing away from the textile material. Accordingly, the non-slip base rests on the floor when the mat is in use, while the foam material forms an intermediate layer and the layer of textile material forms a top layer of the padded mat. The mat is commonly used in bathrooms where people stand on the mat with wet feet. The mat feels very comfortable under your feet and dries very quickly. This means that the mat remains hygienic and attractive over a long period of time.

The one in the WO 2011/069158 A1 The mat shown as well as the mat according to the present invention are, as said, preferably used as a bath mat, but can just as well be used for other uses or combinations of uses, for example as a camping mat, play mat, mat for pets, seat cushions for example Garden chairs or for spectator seats in a stadium, picnic mat, yoga mat, sports mat, bedroom mat, kitchen mat, wrist support for computer keyboards, shoe inserts, cot mattress, mattress, garden mat, vehicle mat or as a vehicle seat pad.

From the US 2005/0192158 A1 there is known a yoga mat with a non-slip base and a layer of a moisture-absorbing fabric. A friction layer made of a hydrophilic closed cell foam is embedded as a dot pattern on top of the fabric layer.

The textile material of the surface layer of the padded mat is usually a woven or knitted textile material. The appearance of the surface of such surface layers is limited. Attempts to provide a greater variety of surface designs have so far failed because the mats designed in this way have not passed the washing test.

Proceeding from this, the present invention is based on the problem of creating a durable, washable, padded mat with the possibility of a large number of different surface designs.

To solve this problem, the padded mat according to the invention is characterized in that the surface arrangement further comprises a layer of textile material and at least one flexible strand with a padded core, preferably made of an open-cell viscoelastic shape memory polymer, and an outer tube made of a textile material , and that the flexible strand is connected to the layer of textile material, in particular braided, interwoven, linked or tufted.

Because of the flexible cord connected to the layer of textile material, a large number of different surface designs can be achieved by laying the flexible cord in different ways. The connection of the strand with the layer of textile material ensures good washability and thus a long service life. A connection by intertwining, weaving, linking or tufting has proven to be particularly long-lasting and durable. The flexible strand itself is formed from a cushion core, preferably from shape memory polymer, which is surrounded by an outer tube made of a textile material. This makes for a very comfortable, highly absorbent and quick drying mat similar to the mat after WO 2011/069158 A1 .

Particularly beautiful ornaments can be achieved if the layer of textile material is a layer of woven textile material and the flexible strand is woven or interwoven with the layer of textile material. Additionally or alternatively, the surface arrangement has two or more flexible strands. In this case, the flexible strands are woven or braided together to form a decorative pattern. The flexible strands are preferably woven into a plain weave. This creates further design options for ornaments.

The flexible strand can be connected to the textile material by strings of the layer of textile material. Additional means for connecting the flexible strand to the layer of textile material are not required in this case.

In order to further improve the durability and washability of the mat, the flexible strand are woven or interwoven with at least two, preferably at least four, cords of the layer of textile material. In other words, at each point of intersection of the flexible cord with the layer of textile material, at least two, preferably at least four, cords of the textile material are provided in order to connect the flexible cord to the layer of textile material.

The flexible cord can furthermore be looped around at least one cord, preferably around at least two cords, more preferably around at least four cords, of the layer of flexible material. This measure also results in particularly beautiful ornaments. The same pattern can also be achieved in that sections of the flexible strand or the flexible strands are arranged crosswise to one another.

It is also possible to twist the flexible strands at least at some of the crossing points, preferably at each crossing point, with the layer of textile material by at least 90 °, preferably by at least 180 °, about its longitudinal axis. This also enables a particularly appealing surface design.

In order to further improve the feeling of stepping on the mat, a cushioning layer, preferably made of an open-cell viscoelastic shape memory polymer, can be arranged between and connected to the non-slip base and the surface arrangement.

• 1 eine gepolsterte Matte mit den Erfindungsmerkmalen in perspektivischer Explosionsdarstellung;
• 2 einen vertikalen Querschnitt der Matte gemäß 1;
• 3 ein Detail der Matte gemäß 1;
• 4 eine Draufsicht auf ein Ausführungsbeispiel für eine Matte gemäß 1;
• 5 eine Draufsicht auf ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel für eine Matte gemäß 1;
• 6 eine Draufsicht auf ein drittes Ausführungsbeispiel für eine Matte gemäß 1;
• 7 eine Draufsicht auf ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel für eine Matte gemäß 1; und
• 8 einen Detailausschnitt eines vertikalen Querschnitts des Ausführungsbeispiels gemäß 7.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing. In the drawing show:

• 1 a padded mat with the features of the invention in an exploded perspective view;
• 2 a vertical cross-section of the mat according to FIG 1 ;
• 3 a detail of the mat according to 1 ;
• 4th a plan view of an embodiment for a mat according to 1 ;
• 5 a plan view of a second embodiment of a mat according to 1 ;
• 6th a plan view of a third embodiment of a mat according to 1 ;
• 7th a plan view of a further embodiment of a mat according to 1 ; and
• 8th a detail section of a vertical cross section of the embodiment according to 7th .

Referring first to the 1 and 2 there is shown therein a product in the form of a mat according to the present invention. The mat has a base 10 which is made of a non-slip material. The base 10 was therefore also used as a non-slip base 10 designated. The non-slip base 10 can be made of any non-slip material such as GRIPTEX®, SNR, PVC, or a cumulative base such as latex or the material known under the brand name SPANDEX®. The non-slip base is in use 10 on the floor or other surface on which the mat is used. In the context of the present disclosure, the surface of the non-slip base 10 which rests on the floor or the other supporting surface, as a lower surface or supporting surface 11 designated.

On a top surface 12th (opposite to the lower surface or bearing surface 11 ) is a cushioning layer 13th arranged. The upholstery layer 13th is firmly connected to the non-slip base, for example by gluing and / or sewing. Preferably the cushion layer is 13th over its entire area with the upper surface 12th the non-slip base 10 glued (adhesive layer 20th ) and additionally at least on the outer circumference with the non-slip base 10 sewn.

The upholstery layer 13th can be made from any cushioning material. Preferably the cushion layer is 13th made of a foam material which offers sufficient elasticity or compatibility and sufficient comfort. The cushion layer is particularly preferred 13th made from a shape memory polymer such as a viscoelastic polyurethane.

The outer / topmost layer of the mat, which forms the surface on which a person is very likely to stand, kneel or sit, is a surface arrangement 14th intended. The surface arrangement 14th includes a strand 15th That is done in a suitable manner with a layer of textile material 16 ( 3 ) connected is. For this purpose, the strand 15th with the layer of textile material 16 be intertwined, interwoven or tufted. The layer of textile material 16 can be any suitable woven or knitted textile. When “strand 15” is used in the context of the present disclosure, this can be a single strand or a sequence or arrangement of two or more strands.

As best in 3 can be seen, the strand points 15th a core 17th and an outer tube 18th on which is the core 17th surrounds. The core 17th can again be made of any suitable cushioning material. However, it is preferred again a shape memory polymer such as a viscoelastic polyurethane is used. The outer tube 18th is made of a moisture-absorbing textile material. The layer of textile material 16 can also be made of a moisture-absorbing textile material and preferably of the same material as the hose 18th be made. For example, either or both of them can be made of polyester, namely 100% polyester. Alternatively, they can be made from a blend of polyester and polyamide. Typically at least 75% polyester and no more than 25% polyamide, more preferably at least 80% polyester and no more than 20% polyamide, is used. On the other hand, the layer can be made of textile material 16 and / or the hose 18th be made of no more than 85% polyester and at least 15% polyamide. The material itself is described in more detail below.

To make the strand 15th can the core 17th with a continuous diameter or a diameter that varies over the length into the tube 18th be introduced, which is already closed by a seam to form a tube or is only then closed by the seam. The hose becomes concrete 15th with a core 17th made of shape memory polymer with a cross section of 10 mm x 10 mm in the tube 18th introduced. The strand 15th is then during the weaving or knitting process in the top of the textile material of the layer of textile material 16 incorporated and thereby connected to it. Alternatively, the strand 15th can also be tufted with a pre-made woven or knitted textile.

The arrangement of the individual layers 10 , 13th and 14th the mat are best off 2 to see. The non-slip base 10 forms the lower layer, the cushioning layer 13th an intermediate layer and the surface arrangement 14th a top layer. However, the cushion layer is 13th optional and can be omitted so that the surface arrangement 14th directly with the non-slip base 10 is connected. In a further exemplary embodiment, which is not shown, there is a barrier layer between the surface arrangement 14th and the cushion layer or the non-slip base 10 provided to prevent moisture from penetrating the upholstery layer 13th or the non-slip base 10 from the surface arrangement 14th to prevent. Such a barrier layer can also be placed between the core 17th and the hose 18th be provided.

The provision of the hose 18th on the outer surface means that when the mat is used next to a bath or shower, for example, the mat immediately absorbs moisture from a person's feet when the person steps on the mat from the bath or shower, so that the feet are immediately dried as the hose 18th which absorbs moisture quickly.

Providing the core 17th , preferably a compressible shape memory polymer, in combination with the tube 18th , the non-slip base 10 and optionally the cushioning layer 13th allow a luxurious, padded and absorbent feel to the mat when a person is standing, kneeling or sitting on the mat. Furthermore, a large number of design options are provided.

3 shows how the strand 15th with the shift 16 made of textile material that can be woven, braided or tufted. In the specific embodiment shown, the strand crosses with four cords 19th of the textile material of the layer of textile material 16 and thus ensures that the mat is durable and washable. In addition, the strand is 15th twisted or twisted by 90 ° around its longitudinal axis. The strand 15th but can also be twisted or twisted even further, even beyond 180 ° around its longitudinal axis. Attractive ornaments can also be achieved with this.

The surface arrangement 14th is with the cushion layer 13th connected by, for example, gluing and / or sewing. How out 2 can be seen is the surface layer 14th into the surface of the cushion layer 13th embedded, which faces the surface layer (namely opposite to the non-slip base 10 ). The upholstery layer 13th can be a simple pillow, which, due to its properties, adapts to the shape of the surface of the surface layer 14th adjusts that of the padding layer 13th is facing. Of course, it is also possible that the surface of the cushioning layer 13th which of the surface layer 14th is facing, is provided with a structure, which to the corresponding surface of the surface layer 14th corresponds. This can be done by directly molding or foaming the padding layer 13th on the surface of the surface layer 14th happen, also in order to achieve a sufficient bond of the surface layer with the cushioning layer.

The upholstery layer 13th has a thickness of at least 30%, preferably at least 40% and particularly preferably at least 50% of the thickness of the surface arrangement 14th to create a surface design of the surface, which is the surface layer 14th facing is to be achieved as described above. In one embodiment, which was produced as a prototype, the thickness of the cushion layer was 6 mm from a core 17th with a cross section of 10 mm x 10 mm.

Thanks to the present invention, a variety of design options and ornaments are possible. In the embodiment according to 1 and 4th is the strand 15th Sinusoidally arranged in loops over the entire width of the mat. In the embodiment according to FIG 5 is a multitude of strands 15th provided that cross each other. Every strand 15th can, as shown, be sinusoidal with a correspondingly lower amplitude, so that several strands 15th fit next to each other on the mat, or be arranged straight. 6th shows a round mat in which the strand 15th Is arranged spirally or helically. In the embodiment according to 7th and 8th is the strand 15th again provided sinusoidally in loops over the entire width of the mat. One or more additional strands 15th is / are provided circumferentially on the outer edge of the mat.

As in the mat after WO 2011/069158 A1 comprises the yarn used in the present invention to make the textile material from which the tube is made 18th and / or the layer of textile material 15th is made up of a multitude of threads made of fibers. The filaments are made by severing fibers from a fiber source and then spinning them together with a plurality of additional fibers to form the yarn. This way of manufacturing the yarn enables the threads and thus the material to absorb water. This means that liquid is absorbed quickly instead of repelling liquid. This will quickly absorb liquid from a contact surface, such as the feet of a person standing on the mat. The contact surface is thus dried quickly. Each fiber is on the order of a few micrometers in diameter.

A suitable size range for the fibers is, for example, a diameter of 1 µm to 20 µm. A particularly suitable range is a diameter of 5 µm to 10 µm. In comparison: the order of magnitude can be regarded as about a hundred times finer than a human hair. Typically hundreds of threads are spun for each yarn. It can thus be seen that each thread is very small in cross-section and each thread is used in combination with other threads in order to produce first the yarn and finally the textile material.

The weaving or knitting process for producing the textile material from the yarn includes weaving or knitting with yarn with other threads from yarn. According to one embodiment, the woven or knitted material has a combination of threads made of polyester and polyamide and possibly also nylon. A specific exemplary embodiment has 60-90% by weight polyester with a remaining proportion of polyamide. To produce a bath mat, a large number of yarns are woven or knitted with one another in order to produce the textile material, which has very good absorption and drying properties. According to one embodiment, the yarn is woven or knitted into a textile material which has a weight of 200-300 g / m ² and, according to a specific embodiment, a weight between 250 and 275 g / m ² . The fiber height is approximately 2.5 to 4.5 mm, in particular 4 mm.

As described above, the different layers are 10 , 13th and 14th glued together. The glue should be chosen so that it has both a high adhesive strength between the respective different layers 10 , 13th and 14th without noticeable cracking of the adhesive layer. According to a specific exemplary embodiment, the adhesive enables moisture to penetrate it. This allows moisture from the upholstery layer 13th into the surface layer 14th and vice versa without preventing a wicking effect. This allows the textile material and the padding layer 13th not only absorb moisture quickly, but also dry quickly. According to a specific exemplary embodiment, the adhesive is a noticeable upholstery adhesive that is suitable for gluing, among other things, foam, such as adhesive 680S from the manufacturer Tai Jia from Guangdong, China.

It goes without saying that the above description of exemplary embodiments only serves to illustrate what is considered to be particularly practical and preferred exemplary embodiments. The exemplary embodiments described must therefore in no way be viewed as restrictive. Rather, the scope of protection also includes modifications of the exemplary embodiments described above, as they emerge from the scope of protection of the appended claims.

List of reference symbols

10

non-slip base

11

lower surface or support surface

12th

upper surface

13th

Padding layer

14th

Surface arrangement

15th

strand

16

Layer of textile material

17th

core

18th

tube

19th

line

20th

Adhesive layer

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• WO 2011/069158 A1 [0002, 0003, 0008, 0029]
• US 2005/0192158 A1 [0004]

Claims (10)

Padded mat, in particular bath mat, with a non-slip base (10) and a surface arrangement (14) which is arranged on the non-slip base (10) and connected to it, characterized in that the surface arrangement (14) further comprises a layer of textile material (16) and at least one flexible cord (15) with a padded core (17), preferably made of an open-cell viscoelastic shape memory polymer, and an outer tube (18) made of a textile material, and that the flexible cord ( 15) is connected to the layer of textile material (16), in particular braided, interwoven, linked or tufted. Padded mat after Claim 1 , characterized in that the layer of textile material (16) is formed from a woven textile material. Padded mat after Claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the surface arrangement (14) comprises two or more flexible strands (15) and in that the flexible strands (15) are woven or braided together to form a decorative pattern. Padded mat after Claim 3 , characterized in that the flexible strands (15) are woven into a linen weave. Padded mat according to one of the Claims 1 to 4th , characterized in that the flexible strand (15) is connected to the textile material (16) by strings of the layer of textile material (16). Padded mat after Claim 5 , characterized in that the flexible strand (15) with the layer of textile material (16) with at least two, preferably with at least four, strings of the layer of textile material (16) at the points of intersection with the layer of textile material (16) connected is. Padded mat after Claim 5 or 6th , characterized in that the flexible cord (15) is looped around at least one cord (19), preferably around at least two cords (19), more preferably around at least four cords (19), of the layer of textile material (16). Padded mat according to one of the Claims 1 to 7th , characterized in that sections of the flexible strand (15) or the flexible strands (15) are arranged crosswise to one another. Padded mat according to one of the Claims 1 to 8th , characterized in that the flexible strand (15) is twisted or twisted around its longitudinal axis by at least 90 °, preferably by at least 180 °, at least at some intersection points, preferably at each intersection point, with the layer of textile material (16) . Padded mat according to one of the Claims 1 - 9 , characterized in that a cushion layer (13), preferably made of an open-cell viscoelastic shape memory polymer, is arranged between the non-slip base (10) and the surface arrangement (14) and is connected to them.

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